June 7th, 2018, CH
Artemis Quartet
Beethoven-Janacek-Schumann
I have followed the Artemis Quartet (on CD) for a long time. However, this iteration of the Artemis Quartet is not one I am familiar with. The library has a lot of their EMI/Virgin recordings, which were all led by the formidable Natalia Prishepenko. Since she left in 2012, there have been no new recordings until relatively recently (on Erato). In the interim, like the Alban Berg, the ensemble also suffered death of a member (see wiki entry).
It must have been a tall order to be Prishepenko's successor but, judging from this concert, Latvian Vineta Sareika has done an excellent job. The ensemble plays with well-nigh perfect intonation and integration, with not a hair out of place. No wonder they are still an ensemble of top standing.
Beethoven's Op 18/3 was stylish and fluid. Janacek's No. 1 and Schumann's No. 3, both difficult works to carry off, were exemplarily played - in fact, I'd prefer a little more struggle and vehemence in both of these pieces.
One thing I found interesting about this ensemble. They possibly have the most blended sound I have heard in a quartet. In most quartet's (and other ensembles too) the lead violinist almost always sound just a little sharper and stand out more, but not this Artemis ensemble. Though she leads faultlessly, Sareika simply does not dominate the sound picture.
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